News

UJS are disappointed that City SU passed a motion to support the BDS campaign last night, for the second time in 15 months, at a meeting attended by around 150 students. A third BDS motion proposed to City SU last year was pulled by the proposers prior to being debated, due to lack of support.

BDS is a divisive movement that prioritises a single narrative in place of nuanced and respectful discussion. It divides peers, alienates Jewish students and creates an atmosphere that can and has fuelled antisemitism on campuses across the UK.

‘Once again UJS is deeply disappointed that those wishing to attend a talk by KCL Israel Society were intimidated and harassed. Approximately 60 protestors with placards and banners sought to drown out the speaker, Dan Meridor, former Deputy Prime Minister of Israel.

‘Debate and discussion are vital aspects of university life, as is the right to protest. However, intimidating those who try to hear a variety of views with chants of ‘Shame’ is not conducive to informed and respectful dialogue, which should be front and centre of university life.

Brighton and Sussex J-Soc is an active, thriving campus community. This year the J-Soc have welcomed educational speakers, organised weekly Shabbat meals and festival celebrations, hosted a stand at the university’s Refreshers fair and commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day. Looking forward, we are excited for the second JFest party and the South Coast Shabbaton at Ralli Hall Community Centre in March.

On page 17 of this week’s Jewish Chronicle (in the Community News section) there is a story under the headline ‘Brighton rocked by UJS plan to sell Hillel’, which is not currently available online. We would like to clarify that the article does not reflect the full picture.

Earlier this week, the Polish President Andrzej Duda signed a controversial new Holocaust bill. If also passed by the country's Constitutional Tribunal, the law would make it illegal to accuse Poland of complicity in crimes committed by Nazi Germany, including the Holocaust. It would also ban the use of terms such as "Polish death camps" in relation to Auschwitz and other such camps located in Nazi-occupied Poland.

We are deeply concerned by the recent Community Security Trust report detailing the highest recorded number of incidents of antisemitism in the UK since records began. Although it is encouraging to note that campus related antisemitic incidents have fallen, one antisemitic incident is one too many. We shall continue to work closely with CST to combat antisemitism on campus and in wider society to ensure the safety and security of Jewish students.

With so many decisions to make about your future when you leave university, the opportunities can be overwhelming. Here are some of our sabbatical team to tell you why they made the choice to work for their national union…

Attendees heard from Luciana Berger MP and Louise Jacobs, the first woman Chair of UJIA. They spoke about the unique challenges and opportunities they have faced as Jewish women working within the Jewish community and wider society, and encouraged the students gathered to make change within in their communities.

About UJS

We are the voice of over 8,500 Jewish students, spanning 60 Jewish Societies (J-Socs) on campuses across the UK and Ireland. We are traditional, progressive, cultural and spiritual; we come from the left, centre and right and can be found across religious and political spectrums.

Together we create and deliver powerful campaigns; fighting prejudice, advancing inclusion, and inspiring education and action on the issues that matter to us.